Polymeric alkoxysilanes

Abstract

Polymeric alkoxysilanes which comprise a polymer network of the average formula ##STR1## wherein each R is an independently selected hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon ether radical, each .[.R'.]..Iadd.R 1 .Iaddend. is an independently selected hydrocarbon radical, all of said radicals being free of aliphatic unsaturation, a has a value from 1 to 3; and b has a value from 0.0001 to 1.0. These polymers are made by reacting an alkoxysilane of the formula ##EQU1## with water and with an organosulfonic acid of the formula R 1 SO 3 H. These polymers are useful in zinc-rich paints and in binders for investment castings.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A polymeric alkoxysilane having the average formula ##STR7## wherein each R is an independently selected hydrocarbon radical or hydrocarbon ether radical free of aliphatic unsaturation, each R 1  is an independently selected hydrocarbon radical free of aliphatic unsaturation, a has a value from 1 to 3 and b has a value from .[.0.001.]. .Iadd.0.0001 .Iaddend.to 1.0. 
     
     
       2. The polymeric silane of claim 1 where each R is an independently selected alkyl or alkoxyalkyl of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, aryl of 6 to 13 ring carbon atoms or alkylsubstituted aryl where the aryl has 6 to 13 ring carbon atoms and the alkyl from 1 to 5 carbon atoms, and each R 1  is an independently selected alkyl of 1 to 18 carbon atoms, aryl of 6 to 13 ring carbon atoms or alkylsubstituted aryl where the aryl has from 6 to 13 ring carbon atoms and the alkyl from 1 to 5 carbon atoms. 
     
     
       3. The polymeric alkoxysilane of claim 1 wherein R is lower alkyl; .[.R'.]. .Iadd.R 1  .Iaddend. is lower alkyl, phenyl or alkylphenyl where the alkyl group has 1 or 2 carbon atoms; a is an integer from 1.2 to 2.4 and b is an integer from 0.001 to 0.1. 
     
     
       4. The .[.polymeric.]. alkoxysilane of claim 2 having the formula ##STR8## 
     
     
       5. The polymeric alkoxysilane of claim 3 having the formula ##STR9## 
     
     
       6. The polymeric alkoxysilane of claim 3 having the formula ##STR10##